Hand planes, Stanley planes, infill planes & planemaking

DID YOU KNOW…

The descriptive terminology used by planemaker’s and collectors can be somewhat confusing to the beginner. For example there was never any real standardization of the various parts of a plane as such, but the names tended to follow the same general pattern.

Stanley No. 55 Universal Combination Plane

Manufactured:	1897 to 1962
Length:	11-1/2 inches
Blade Width:	55 blades provided in various sizes
Construction:	Cast iron, beech or rosewood handles & fences
Finish:	Nickel plated
Features:	Adjustable fences and depth stops, slitter, spurs and 55 interchangeable blades
Uses:	Plow, dado, rabbet, filletster, beading, match, sash, slitting and adjustable molding plane
Average Dealer Price (complete):	$350 to $800
Average eBay Price:	$300 to $750
Type 1:	$400 to $800
With original box:	$600 to $1800
Plane body only (no blades):	$50 to $200
Standard four box blade set:	$150 to $275
Special four box blade set:	$1000 to $2000
Standard blades (each):	$5 to $10
Special blades (each):	$10 to $40

Other Notes:

Sweetheart versions (1920-1935) often reach higher prices, but not always

Updated:

30th March, 2006

Stanley No. 55 Universal Combination Planes on eBay right now…

Sources:

While many of the dealers prices for Stanley planes are largely set by John Walters’ book “Antique & Collectible Stanley Tools” it appears that eBay, while acknowledging the Walters guide somewhat, tends to march to it’s own beat and sets its own prices. For that reason – and the fact that eBay’s reach and customer base is huge – I’ve decided to include a separate eBay average price here. Other sources include: “The Antique Tool Collector’s Guide To Value” by Ronald S. Barlow, “Antique & Collectible Stanley Tools” by John Walter, “The Stanley Plane” by Alvin Sellens, “Patrick’s Blood & Gore” by Patrick Leach, various auctions and sales of collectable tools and my own compilations of prices realized, observations and notes over the past 20+ years.